Insurance Rules of the Road for RV Owners

 By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy pxhere

If you own an RV, then you long for the call of the open road.  Especially now that vacation season is upon us, the urge to pack you and yours into your rolling summer home can be all but irresistible.  But before you load up your camper and hit the road, there are a few things you need to know about your liabilities as a driver of a house on wheels. Below are the 10 insurance rules of the road every RV owner should learn to heed.

#1: What's to worry? - Many recreational vehicles are more like Mack Trucks than ordinary motor vehicles.  They weigh tons, are slow to stop, and require wide turns.  As a result, they're not only more likely to be involved in an accident than the family sedan, the damage they inflict can be extreme. As a result you need to pay special attention to liability coverage.  While an RV policy will cover liability for a motor home, travel trailers are covered under the towing vehicle's insurance.  In either case, you should consult with your agent to make sure your liability limits are high enough to cover potential incidents involving your RV.

#2: It's all fun until your RV breaks down. - Unlike the family sedan, when an RV breaks down it can be more than an inconvenience.  It can be a nightmare, especially if you don't have the right coverage.  Does your policy include roadside assistance and hotel reimbursement? If not, you could be on the hook for much more than repairs.  It can cost hundreds of dollars just to have your RV towed should it break down.  Not to mention the fact that if the repair is going to take more than a day, you'll have to secure alternate accommodations that can cost you hundreds of dollars as well.

#3: Dude, where's my stuff? - Like it or not, there are thieves that specialize in breaking into RVs.  They wait at rest stops, truck stops, and tourist destinations until a happy family departs their RV.  Then they break into unattended campers in order to rifle the contents and make off with expensive items that are easy to sell online.  While the contents of an RV are covered under either the comprehensive portion of your policy, if you plan on taking expensive electronics and photo gear with you, I strongly advise you touch base with your agent to make sure your theft limit is up to snuff.

#4: What if one or more of your passengers are seriously injured? - Unlike a traditional car, light truck, or van, an RV can carry significantly more passengers, all of whom can be injured in a wreck.  While it's true that medical bills for you and your passengers are covered up to the limits selected when you bought the RV policy, those limits may need to be increased depending on how many passengers you intend to have in your camper.  If you own a travel trailer, medical coverage does not apply.  You'll need to reference the policy of the towing vehicle to cover any injuries sustained by passengers following an accident.

Image courtesy pxhere

#5: What if the driver who hits your RV has no insurance? - If your RV is damaged or you are injured by a motorist with little or no auto insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage and bodily injury coverage could save the day.  That's because it's designed to repair or replace your RV as well as paying to treat any injuries you suffer (up to the policy limit) in an accident caused by another motorist.  What's even better is that this optional coverage is inexpensive to add to an existing policy if you don't have it already.

#6: How to avoid rolling your RV over. - The last thing an RV owner wants to do is turtle their vehicle.  This can happen by turning too fast, failing to avoid a steeply sloping road, or failing to retract your RVs slides prior to a storm.  That's right, strong updrafts occurring under extended slides have been known to roll campers onto their sides or completely over.  If strong wind or thunderstorms are forecast, make sure to retract your slides and stow awnings to reduce your vehicle's windage.

#7: What acts of God are covered by your RV policy? - One thing about Mother Nature is she can turn on you in an instant.  Since RVs spend a lot of time in the great outdoors, this means they are more susceptible to acts of God than the family sedan.  They are also a much bigger target for such things as lightning strikes, avalanches, wildfires, wind & water damage, animal strikes, and tornadoes.  Comprehensive coverage will pay for these and other collateral damage such as broken windshields and hail dents.  This coverage isn't available for travel trailers, since they aren't motor vehicles.  Talk to your agent to find out if this is covered under the towing vehicle's comprehensive policy.

#8: Who pays if you accidentally knock down a fence, sideswipe another vehicle, or hit a low bridge? - This is included in the collision portion of your RV coverage.  This is also why RV drivers must exercise extreme caution when turning corners or rolling under low overhangs and tree limbs.

Image courtesy pxhere

#9: What doesn't RV insurance cover? - While the list of covered perils is extensive, there are several things that may or may not be covered under your RV policy.  These may include damage caused by flood or earthquake, as well as mold, delamination, as well as wear and tear to your RV.  Check your policy for any exclusions or consult your agent to determine if there are any gaps that optional coverage can plug.

#10: Ready to feed your inner Indiana Jones? - While travelling abroad can lead to exciting adventures, the last thing you want to do is roll your RV straight into the Temple of Doom. If you plan on crossing into either Canada or Mexico, your best bet is to tell your insurer in advance.  This way you'll know whether you're covered should you have a problem either north or south of the US border.  While many policies cover Canadian excursions, most insurance companies don't cover trips south of the border. If you have your heart set on heading into Mexico, you may need to look into acquiring additional coverage.

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida, Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about saving money on all your insurance needs, check out her website at http://aplusallfloridainsuranceinc.com/